understatement

ʌndә'steitmәnt

GRE Collins 1

n. a statement that is restrained in ironic contrast to what might have been said

n. 软弱无力的陈述, 克制的说法
[经] 少报

Collins 星级

14,115

BNC 频率

13,139

使用频率

understatement 由 under-（在下面）和 statement（陈述）组成，表示低估或轻描淡写某事，强调与实际情况相比不足的表达。

例句

1. His comment about the movie was an understatement; it was actually terrible.

他对这部电影的评论是轻描淡写；实际上它很糟糕。

2. Saying she was a little upset was an understatement; she was really angry.

说她有点不高兴是轻描淡写；她其实非常生气。

3. The teacher's praise for the student's work was an understatement; the project was excellent.

老师对学生作品的赞扬是轻描淡写；这个项目非常优秀。